Classes of Heads of Mission

Subject(s):

Diplomatic immunity — Diplomatic missions — Diplomatic relations — Heads of state and other senior officials

This chapter analyses Articles 14 and 15 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Article 14 organizes the heads of the diplomatic of each respective State into three classes, namely: (a) that of ambassadors or nuncios (in the case of the Holy See) accredited to Heads of State and other heads of mission of equivalent rank; (b) that of envoys, ministers and internuncios accredited to Heads of State; and (c) that of chargés d’affaires accredited to Ministers for Foreign Affairs. The Article also makes it clear that there shall be no differentiation between heads of mission by reason of their class. Article 15 further concerns the classes of the heads of mission as it states that the classes to be assigned shall be agreed between the States. The chapter also looks into how the International Law Commission faced the concerns surrounding the classes leading up to the formation of both Articles.